maintaining a non-production boat

[Tom Monroe]

I'm considering the purchase of a rare, non-production boat. It's a 1982 Pandora 23, an Argentine boat of good reputation and race record, with a 1992 survey, and I'll get another as part of the purchase. My question to this forum is not about the boat itself, but on the problems I might expect in keeping her going. Can you get "stuff" made that breaks? How do the costs of doing so compare to maintaining, say, a First 210? Am I letting myself in for too many problems?The lines are wonderful, I like looking at her, and I like the idea of owning something other than the rest of the boats on the dock. But I don't want a nightmare in return.Thoughts?Tom MonroeCarlyle Lake

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

Problems no different from obsolete production

models or boats built by builders who are no longer in business. The only thing really unique about a "one off" boat is its hull design and layout...all the equipment and systems on it had to be supplied by the same mfrs who supply production builders. Unless you're planning to turn it into a museum exhibit, there's nothing to be gained by keeping any boat original--any more than you'd want to keep the obsolete decor and appliances in an older house...so no matter what boat you buy--unique, foreign, custom or production, anything that breaks or wears out would be replaced with current state of the art. You might have to make few mods to make some things fit...but again, that would also be true of any older production boat 'cuz production builders keep changing the designs...a current model Hunter and a 20 yr old Hunter don't have any more in common than the boat you're looking has.

 

[Debra B]

After 20 yrs, production boat not quite stock

People have updated things before me, and I will update more. Very little is original equipment.Most things that break can be replaced. DO NOT rely only on the websites of the big marine centers. Some of the discounters carry more selections, and they all do special orders.But if something broke, you might want to replace it with something bigger/stronger. (I am going to replace bow rollers that got bent during a tow - I could fix, but bigger is better in this case, and they will be out of much heavier steel.)Ask around as there will be someone who can make stuff out of steel and someone who does outstanding fiberglass work.Get this "This Old Boat"

 

[David Foster]

No big deal

Peggie and Debra got it right. Hunter owners from that era are on our own, too. (Hunter will help with a source if they can, but that's about it.) I haven't run into anything on our '77 h27 that couldn't be replaced by a similar modern component. Another positive is that in that size and age of boat, the systems were pretty simple - again, making replacement straightforward.Actually, Catalina is the big exception here - they continue to support their old boats with parts, and retrofit kits. Again, although a positive, this is no big deal.DavidLady Lillie

 

[J.B. Dyer]

Web Site

Hi Tom:Being the owner of a 20 year old boat that is now out of production, I have never had any problem replacing anything necessary. The only things unique to any boat is the hull, deck and hatches, etc.There is a web site and owners association on the Pandora. I'm sure that if you get in to this that there are probably numerous contacts as to part availibility.Luck with it!

 

[Tom Monroe]

different pandora

I found the Pandora site also, but it's a different boat. Last week, I discovered this one is a German Frers design, limited production, out of Buenos Aires. Came here in 1982 during the Falklands war. As of the mid 90's, it was the only one in North America. So, it's essentially a custom boat from a maintenance point of view.I'm going to have it surveyed, and if it comes back OK, I'm thinking I'll buy her. I like the idea of owning something other than "what everyone else has." And, it reputedly has won a lot of races!Tom